SACKETS HARBOR Antique fire trucks and equipment from previous decades, with some pieces that are more than 100 years old, will be on display today in a parade hosted by the Thousand Islands Hose Haulers that will run throughout the village.

Its going to give people an opportunity to see fire trucks theyve never seen before, said William M. Blunden, president of the Thousand Island Hose Haulers.

Mr. Blunden said the Sackets Harbor Fire Department will lead the parade, followed by several fire chiefs and rescue vehicles, pumpers, ladder trucks and other equipment used anytime between the mid-1800s to the late 1900s. They will travel through the business district and Main Street. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Sackets Harbor Central School, 215 S. Broad St.

The equipment for the parade was supplied by members of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America, or SPAAMFAA, a national organization which also has members from Canada and Europe, dedicated to preserving and restoring fire apparatus and equipment. The Thousand Islands Hose Haulers serves as the Northern New York chapter of SPAAMFAA.

Its a brotherhood ... to have them all in one place and to do a parade in Sackets is special, Sackets Harbor Mayor Vincent J. Battista said.

The parade will conclude at the polo grounds at the Madison Barracks for a muster, which Mr. Blunden compared to a car show for fire equipment, that will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mr. Blunden, who also serves as muster chairman, said visitors will have the chance to see equipment from the parade on display as well as additional motorized, horse-drawn and hand-pulled equipment. The Thousand Island Hose Haulers will also give live demonstrations of motorized pumps and hand pumps, and there will be contests and childrens activities.

Theres going to be a little something for everybody, Mr. Blunden said.

The parade and muster serve as celebrations for the last day of the SPAAMFAA National Summer Convention and Muster, which began Wednesday and predominantly took place through meetings at the Hilton Garden Inn in Watertown.

Mr. Blunden, who served with the Carthage Volunteer Fire Department for 34 years before he retired last year, said this was the first year the Thousand Islands Hose Haulers were able to host the national event and they hosted more than 300 members. The local chapter held a trip to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, a boat cruise, a ride along the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, a wine tour and a tour of the fire stations in Watertown and Fort Drum. The event will conclude with a banquet for members tonight.

Theyre getting an opportunity to see some of the best of the north country, Mr. Blunden said. This is a huge boon for local tourism. We are just overjoyed to be a part of this.

The Thousand Islands Hose Haulers was formed 2010 with 12 members. The chapter has grown to a membership of about 45 members from Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties.

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Thousand Islands Hose Haulers hosts fire equipment parade and muster - WatertownDailyTimes.com